2002 Ford F-150
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 955 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 F-150 model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 58 involved a crash and 100 involved a fire. 67 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingJul 29, 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STRAP AS AN INTERIM REPAIR OR A STEEL REINFORCEMENT OVER THE EXISTING STRAP AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. ANY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S21
Campaign 11V385000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electricalAug 28, 2007
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
Campaign 07E066000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 1, 2006
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Campaign 06E067000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Campaign 06E065000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsJun 12, 2006
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
Campaign 06E052000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed controlSep 7, 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)
Campaign 05V388000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
215 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 13, 2009
DRIVING TO PICK UP MY SON AT SCHOOL FOR A TRIP. AS I TURNED LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC I HEARD A LOUD POP IN MY 2002 FORD F150 AND THEN A LOUD SERIES OF LOUD POPS AS MY ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I MOVED THE VEHICLE TO A PARTS STORE JUST UP THE STREET AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TRITON V-8 ENGINE HAD JUST EJECTED A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO THEN CHARGED ME A GREAT DEAL TO REPAIR THE HEAD AND REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 5, 2009
NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON THE FREEWAY - SPARK PLUG DISCHARGED OUT OF THE MOTOR. VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP. TO REPAIR, THE HOLE FOR THE SPARK PLUG IN THE ALUMINUM HEAD WAS RETHREADED USING A STANDARD HELICOIL KIT. TWO SPARK PLUG HOLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT A COST OF $1100 PER HOLE FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 30, 2008
2002 FORD F150 5.4 LITER ENGINE. TRAVELING AT APPROX 25 MPH I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SOMETHING HITTING THE HOOD. THE CAR STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND GASOLINE FUMES STARTED TO FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A REPAIR GARAGE WHO INDICATED THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN FROM THE HEAD. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON FORD PROBLEM BY THE GARAGE AND SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS VERIFIED THIS. THE HEAD WAS REMILLED AND THE PLUG AND COIL HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD DOES ACKNOWLEDGE AN ISSUE AND HAS ISSUED A TSB HOWEVER WARRANTIES DO NOT COVER REPAIR. WITH THE PLUG BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD GAS VAPORS WERE BEING INJECTED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE RISK OF FIRE IS PRESENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2008
I EXPERIENCED A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS STRANDED ON A NARROW ROAD AND HAD TO CALL FOR HELP. MY DAD CALLED A TOW TRU CK AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER IN KAILUA KONA, HAWAII. WE SAW THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HIS TRUCK DID THE SAME THING. AT THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY IT DID THAT. AFTER GETTING IT REPAIRED FOR $600.00, MY TRUCK WOULD NOT RUN. THEY SAID, YOU NEED A NEW ENGINE AT THE TUNE OF $5,000.00. IT RAN FINE PRIOR TO THAT SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. WITH FURTHER INVESTIGATION, AN EXPERT MECHANIC SUSPECTS THEY MISHANDELED THE INSTALLATION. THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. THIS STARTED OUT A FORD PART DEFECT, BUT IS ENDING UP A DESTROYED ENGINE. I WILL DEMAND THEY FIX IT, OR WE WILL SUE. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!! FORD SHOULD NOT BE BAILED OUT. WHY CAN'T SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? JAIL, PERHAPS? I AM WITHOUT A TRUCK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 26, 2008
I WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP LUNCH ONE DAY FROM WORK AND WHEN I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC TO HEAD BACK I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER AND A SOUND THAT MADE ME THINK THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE. THE PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE HEAD AND BROKE A COIL PACK IN HALF. I TALKED TO THE FORD DEALER THAT I GET MY PARTS AT, AND HE TOLD ME IT HAPPENS ALOT ON 4.6 LITERS, 5.4 LITERS, AND V-10 FORD TRUCKS SO MUCH THAT THEY STAY WELL STOCKED ON THE PARTS THAT I NEEDED TO FIX WHAT FORD DOESN'T CONSIDER TO BE A PROBLEM, THE FIX IS A WELL GREASED, EXTRA LONG 14 MM TAP AND HELICOIL, RED LOCKTITE, SPARK PLUG, COIL PACK, AND ANY OTHER BITS AND PIECES THE PLUG DESTOYS ON ITS WAY OUT, FROM THE REPORTS I'M READING I GOT LUCKY THTAT IT WAS JUST MY COIL THAT TOOK THE BRUNT OF IT, I'VE TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE AROUND THE AREA AND THEY SEE ANY WHERE FROM 2 TO 4 PER WEEK, AND ON TOP OF THAT THERE WAS TWO PEOPLE AT MY WORK THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ONLY HAVE 18 EMPLOYEES. ONE WAS IN A 5.4 AND THE OTHER WAS A V10. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD DOESN'T RECOGNIZE IT. THE PART WILL BE REPARED AND WILL NOT BE AVALIBLE AND JUST COST ME MORE OF MY TIME AND MONEY DOING STUPID REPARES THAT ARE QUESTIONABLE AT BEST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2008
WHILE BEING 250 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE OF MY 2002 F-150 TRUCK. I WAS ABLE TO BUY TOOLS AND PERFORM A TEMPORARY REPAIR IN ORDER TO GET MY TRUCK HOME. I THEN HIRED A MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE ENGINE USING A HELI-COIL. UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T TRUST THE TRUCK NOW AS I BOUGHT IT TO PULL MY CAMPER AND AM CONCERNED OVER BEING STRANDED. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 5.4 TRITON ENGINE. I AM NOT SURE WHY FORD HAS NOT PERFORMED A RECALL ON IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 4, 2008
TRUCK MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SPECS. WHILE DRIVING DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL, HEARD LOUD POP. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. BLOWN SPARK PLUG OUT OF #2 CYLINDER. WITH THE USE OF HELICOIL REPAIRS CAME TO APPROX. $700. LESS THAN 6 WEEKS LATER #4 CYLINDER BLEW SPARK PLUG WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY. THIS TIME (AFTER MUCH RESEARCH OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS) INSTALLED LONGER THREAD SPARK PLUGS SUGGESTED BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENT. THIS TIME REPAIR COSTS WERE $800.00. IF FORD HAS MADE A SPECIAL KIT AND NEW LONGER SPARK PLUGS FOR THIS "PROBLEM" ISN'T THAT A SUBTLE ADMISSION OR GUILT/RESPONSIBILITY. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING...ADMIT YOUR MISTAKES AND TAKE CARE OF THESE REPAIRS. "BUILT FORD TOUGH" MY EYE!! MY NEXT TRUCK WILL BE A TOYOTA... *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 2, 2008
MY 2002 FORD F-150 WITH A 4.6 LITER V8 BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG WHILE ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY ENTRANCE RAMP. THE SPARKPLUG THAT BLEW OUT WAS THE 3RD FROM THE FRONT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE THREADS FOR THE SPARK PLUG IN THAT CYLINDER ARE NOW RUINED AS WELL AS THE COIL FOR THAT PLUG. TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM I WILL PROBABLY END UP BUYING A $250 KIT TO RE-TAP THE HEAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2008
TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR, ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASION, MY 2002 F150 FORD TRUCK HAS EJECTED A SPARK PLUG. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT OCCURRING. BOTH TIMES I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRED. THE REPAIR BOTH TIMES CONSISTED OF THE INSTILLATION OF A HELI COIL AND THE BILL WAS AROUND $700.00. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2008
PURCHASED USED 2002 F-150 LARIAT WITH 80K MILES IN 4/08. SEPT 9TH THE SPARK PLUG #6 BLEW OUT OF ENGINE. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAD TO TAP AND PLACED HELICOIL TO FIX. OCT 10TH THE SPARK PLUG #8 BLEW OUT OF ENGINE. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 90K. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 3, 2008
SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT IN 2002 FORD F150. SPARK PLUGS BLOW OUT AND FUEL VAPOR SEEPS OUT. NO FIRE ON MY CAR, BUT VERY WELL COULD BE. KNOWN PROBLEM FORD REFUSES TO RECALL. JACK *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 25, 2008
I HAVE A 5.4L ENGINE IN MY FORD TRUCK AND IT KEEPS STRIPPING OUT SPARK PLUGS. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE POSTED THE SAME PROBLEM ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS REPORT .COM. ONE GUYS TRUCK BURNT TO THE GROUND IN 12 MINUTES AND COULDN'T EVEN GET HIS NAVIGATION SYSTEM OUT OF HIS VEHICLE. FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF THE DASH TOWARDS HIM. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD WITH THE MATTER AND THEY STATE THAT IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND YOU ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE TO RECALL IT. I WOULD SAY THAT IF YOUR VEHICLE CAN BURN TO THE GROUND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES, IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE ALL OVER AND THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE CALLED ON THESE ENGINES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE BREAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, NOT AFTER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 17, 2008
STARTED OFF FROM STOP SIGN AND AROUND 30-35 MPH, HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND PULLED OVER TO FIND #3 CYLINDER HAD BLOWN SPARK PLUG OUT. COIL WAS DAMAGED ALSO. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO NEAREST SHOP 40 MILES AWAY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2008
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD. THE EXPLOSION HAD DENTED THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD. I FOUND A BROKEN COIL LAYING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE, AND THE CORRESPONDING SPARK PLUG LAYING BENEATH THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO RE-THREADED THE SPARK PLUG HOLE AND INSTALLED A NEW SPARK PLUG. THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS USUAL FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS, AND THEN THE SAME EXACT SITUATION OCCURRED, INVOLVING THE SAME EXACT SPARK PLUG. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE PLUG AND COIL WERE SO DAMAGED THAT THE HEAD COULD NOT BE RE-THREADED AND REPAIRED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THAT DOZENS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS DUE TO AN ENGINE AND/OR PISTON DEFECT. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE REQUIRED DRILLING OUT THE AFFECTED HEAD, TAPPING IT, AND INSTALLING A HELICOIL BEFORE THE SPARK PLUG COULD BE REPLACED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE, SINCE IN ADDITION TO THE EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT HAS CAUSED ME, IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS WELL. WHILE I HAVE NOT HAD AN ENGINE FIRE, OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE REPORTED ENGINE FIRES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 18, 2008
I HAVE A '02 FORD F150 WITH 51,581 MILES ON IT. YESTERDAY, CYLINDER #3 DECIDED TO BLOW THE SPARK PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. AFTER READING MANY OTHER FRUSTRATED CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, I FOUND OUT THAT I WAS QUITE LUCKY THAT THE ENGINE DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY ERUPT IN FLAMES. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS ANY ISSUE WITH THIS DESIGN EVEN THOUGH IT'S WELL DOCUMENTED. FORD EXPECTS IT'S CUSTOMER TO REPLACE THE HEAD TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AT THE CUSTOMER'S EXPENSE. MINE $3,322.96. NOW THE BETTER PART. BECAUSE IT APPEARS THE DESIGN HAS NOT CHANGED, EVEN BY REPLACING THE HEAD THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2008
MY 2002 FORD F150 5.4 SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE MOTOR WITH ONLY 42000. MILES ON IT. $ 890.00 TO REPAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE SPARK PLUGS STRIPPED OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. INSTEAD, HE SIMPLY NOTICED THE SPARK PLUG STICKING OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN, BUT IT RIDES VERY ROUGHLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 21, 2008
I WAS DRIVING ALONG MN7 ON MY WAY HOME. I STOPPED AT A 4 WAY STOP. WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GO, I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN MY #5 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. ONE MAY 4TH 2008, #3 AND #4 BLEW OUT AND IT COST ME $2,000 TO FIX THIS. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT A LOTS OF FORD F150 OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2008
I WAS DRIVING AND FELT AND HEARD A POP IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD THINKING IT WAS A TIRE BLOW OUT. ONCE I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE TIRES I STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN. IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS NO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD AND SPLIT THE COIL AND POSSIBLY DAMAGED ANOTHER COIL. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE SITUATION. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A FORD DESIGN ERROR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARKS PLUGS WERE LOOSENING AND STRIPPING OFF THE TREADS. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ALSO DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SPARK PLUGS FLYING OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE SPARK PLUGS DETACH, SPARKS FLY. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND BEFORE MOVING. THE FAILURE ALWAYS OCCURS WITH THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 08/05/08. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jun 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F150 HARLEY DAVIDSON. ON JANUARY 3, 2008, A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. ON MAY 31, 2008, WHILE AT A CAR WASH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SAME SPARK PLUG FROM THE SOLENOID HAD BLOWN AGAIN, WHICH ALSO BLEW THE ENGINE HEAD. THE REPAIR IS EXPECTED TO COST BETWEEN $2,200, AND $5,000. ALSO, IN DECEMBER OF 2007, THE SUNROOF MOTOR SHORTED AND NO LONGER WORKS. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,000, AND HAS NOT USED THE SUNROOF SINCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 143,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, May 26, 2008
MY 2002 FORD F-150 EXTENDED CAB 5.4LITRE PICKUP BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER TO INQUIRE AS TO THE PRICE OF REPLACING AN EXHAUST GASKET AS THIS IS WHAT THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE. THE SERVICE ADVISER AFTER HEARING THE MAKE MODEL AND SIZE ENGINE AND YEAR OF THE TRUCK SAID, "NO YOU DID NOT BLOW THE EXHAUST GASKET, YOU BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD". I WAS ASTOUNDED AS TO HOW HE COULD MAKE A DIAGNOSIS OF THIS TYPE AS I HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF SUCH AN OCCURRENCE. THE COST WOULD BE A MINIMUM OF $850.00. AFTER GOING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 14, 2008
PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD!!!!!!! COST 250 DOLLARS TO FIX.......... *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2008
THE # 3 SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF THE MY FORD F150 5.4 V8 TRITON ENGINE. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH THREADS TO HOLD THIS IN CORRECTLY. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY FORD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 4, 2008
BLEW OUT TWO SPARK PLUGS AND ALMOST GOT REARENDED ON THE HIGHWAY BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. *TR